I just attached a hack to my 70s-era Guzzi Eldorado 850 and the engine seems to have trouble getting the rig going into first gear. The Eldo seemed to have plenty power alone and wouldn’t seem to be underpowered with a sidecar (same era Velorex), but I really have to rev the engine and feather the clutch to go - and consequently haven't gone more than a couple blocks. I'd appreciate any suggestions.
The best fix is to raise the gear ratio. If you're chain driven you can use a larger rear or smaller front sprocket. Otherwise an optional gearset is in order.
Lonnie
Northwest Sidecar
+1 On my Suzuki DL1000, I changed the front sprocket 1tooth smaller, and then later, the rear 2 teeth larger.
Originally written by Hack'n on 9/25/2007 12:58 PM
The best fix is to raise the gear ratio. If you're chain driven you can use a larger rear or smaller front sprocket. Otherwise an optional gearset is in order.
Lonnie
Northwest Sidecar
Could also try a smaller OD rear tire. I did that on my Virago rig and Gold Wing rig.
Originally written by akathetroll on 9/25/2007 3:59 PM
Could also try a smaller OD rear tire. I did that on my Virago rig and Gold Wing ring.
This is more than likely the better solution as the guzzi would be shaft driven.
Shoot- I was just going to suggest putting a bigger rear sprocket on.
(nobody appreciates my sense of humour here, anyway)
Bigger rear drive is the official solution. Try a smaller wheel, but I know what you're talking about, and the proper rear drive is the best bet.
Gearing down may be impractical. If you can put a lower profile tire on the back it may help.
I suspect you may just need to modify your driving style. Sidecars typically require you feather the clutch much more than a solo and use more throttle.
Find the friction zone for the clutch and hang there longer, waiting to get moving with some way on before easing it the rest of the way out. Use more throttle than you are accustomed to, starting at a little higher rpm and easing it up even further as you get rolling. Starting off with a sidecar attached is a lot like starting off in a standard transmission car, going uphill from a stop.
Drive up near the peak power(often around halfway to redline or a little past). You won't have the power you need to manuever if you just lope the big goose along at the rpms you are used to.
Originally written by RedMenace on 9/26/2007 10:58 PM
Gearing down may be impractical. If you can put a lower profile tire on the back it may help.
I suspect you may just need to modify your driving style. Sidecars typically require you feather the clutch much more than a solo and use more throttle.
Find the friction zone for the clutch and hang there longer, waiting to get moving with some way on before easing it the rest of the way out. Use more throttle than you are accustomed to, starting at a little higher rpm and easing it up even further as you get rolling. Starting off with a sidecar attached is a lot like starting off in a standard transmission car, going uphill from a stop.
Drive up near the peak power(often around halfway to redline or a little past). You won't have the power you need to manuever if you just lope the big goose along at the rpms you are used to.
Vernon makes some great points here.
Driving style beteeen a solo and a sidecar can certainly make a lot of difference. Geeting 'off th eline' is a mixture as mentioned between more thottle and getting the clutch out. Slipping the clutch more than necessary isn't the answer though. Getting used to what makes the rig happy will go a long ways. I like to start off as quickly as possible in order to prevent any more clutch slippage than necessary. With practice the best technique will surface.
The effort involved will be less with a lower final drive ratio no matter what method is used to obtain it.
I want to reinforce also what vernon said concerning what rpm range to run in. Foir some reson many riders seem to short shift their bikes whether solo or with a sidecar. This is hard on machinery and shoudl not be done! If your bike is happy at 4000 rpm let her run there. We have gears to be able to run at the optimal rpm for the speed. They are no tthere to see how quickly one can get into high gear. Many rigs may never get into high gear when running soem backroads..so be it.
Claude writes: "The effort involved will be less with a lower final drive ratio no matter what method is used to obtain it."
Actually a higher final drive ratio will ease the effort in takeoff.
A lower gear = A higher numerical gear ratio. Which will give more low speed torque for starting out in first gear.
A slight lowering of available top speed is the tradeoff.
Lonnie
Originally written by Hack'n on 9/29/2007 6:27 PM
Claude writes: "The effort involved will be less with a lower final drive ratio no matter what method is used to obtain it."
Actually a higher final drive ratio will ease the effort in takeoff.
A lower gear = A higher numerical gear ratio. Which will give more low speed torque for starting out in first gear.
A slight lowering of available top speed is the tradeoff.
Lonnie
...................................................................
A lower gear will start off better with less top end. A higher gear will start off worse with more top end.
A 4.11 gear in a rear end is lower than a 3.88 rear.
Lower in action means higher numrically.
I knew that soemone would get into this. I also know that Lonnie and I are saying the same thing. I should have not used th eword 'ratio' in my first post.
Lower Eldo gears are not hard to find. Just expensive. Smalle rear tire is an option. 5th get is pretty darned tall on any Guzzi 5 speed, you'll most likely be using 4th anyways, so maybe with teh lower gears or smaller diameter rear tire you might even be able to use 5th. Peak power comes in at 5200 rpm on a Guzzi. Get the revs up a bit, and yet . . .yes, you do need to rev it a bit and feather the clutch. Thats life. Guzzi's have strong clutches. Don't sweat it.
Claude,
I'm aware of what you meant but I was just trying to clarify it for the less experienced readers.
Lonnie
(I don't make miskates!)
Originally written by Hack'n on 9/30/2007 1:57 PM
Claude,
I'm aware of what you meant but I was just trying to clarify it for the less experienced readers.Lonnie
(I don't make miskates!)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Figgered as much. I did hear dat you did think you wuz rong wunce but den u found out you was mistken.
